member companies to federal and
state governments and the PittmanRobertson excise tax the industry
pays on the products it sells – this
tax is the major source of wildlife
conservation funding in America.

During difficult economic

times and high unemployment
rates nationally, our industry has
grown and created over 37,130
new, well-paying jobs over the past
two years. Our industry is proud
to be one of the bright spots in this
economy.

Take a look for yourself and see

the impact we have nationally and on
your home state. (See center spread.)

National Shooting
Sports Foundation®

The Firearms Industry
Creates Jobs in America

United States companies that manufacture, distribute and sell sporting firearms,
ammunition and supplies are an important part of the country’s economy.
Manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and supplies, along with the companies
that sell and distribute these products, provide well paying jobs in America and pay
significant amounts in tax to the state and Federal governments.

Economic Impact of The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Industry in
The United States

The Firearms & Ammunition Industry is an Important Part of America’s Economy
Companies in the United States that manufacture, distribute and sell firearms,
ammunition and hunting equipment employ as many as 99,820 people in the country
and generate an additional 120,310 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. These
include jobs in companies supplying goods and services to manufacturers, distributors
and retailers, as well as those that depend on sales to workers in the firearms and
ammunition industry. [1]
These are good jobs, paying an average of $47,280 in wages and benefits. And today,
every job is important. In fact, in the United States the unemployment rate has
reached 8.2 percent. This means that there are already 12,271,000 people trying to
find jobs in the state and collecting unemployment benefits.[2]
The Economic Benefit of The Industry Spreads Throughout the Country
Not only does the manufacture and sale of firearms and hunting supplies create good jobs in the United States but
the industry also contributes to the economy as a whole. In fact, in 2012 the firearms and ammunition industry was
responsible for as much as $33.36 billion in total economic activity in the country.

Taxes Generated in the United States
The Country Also Benefits from the Taxes Paid by the Industry
Not only does the firearms and ammunition industry create
jobs, it also generates sizable tax revenues. In the United States
the industry and its employees pay over $2.1 billion in taxes including property, income, and sales based levies. [3]

Tax Impact
Federal Taxes
State Taxes
Total Taxes

Business Taxes
$2,541,304,252
$2,098,669,467
$4,639,973,719

Excise Taxes
$459,536,627
$459,536,627

[1] John Dunham and Associates, New York,, March 2012. Direct impacts include those jobs in firearms and ammunition manufacturers, as well as companies that manufacture
products such as ammunition holders and magazines, cases, decoys, game calls, holsters, hunting equipment, scopes, clay pigeons and targets. Direct impacts also include those
resulting from the wholesale distribution and retailing of firearms and ammunition in sporting goods retailers and variety/mass merchandise stores
[2] The Bureau of Labor Statistics. Available online at: www.bis.gov/lau/home.htm. Data for 6/2012.
[3] This is in addition to over $2.50 billion in Federal business taxes and $488.00 million in Federal excise taxes.
Source: John Dunham and Associates, Inc.